Abstract
AbstractA better understanding of gendered perception on the prevalence and management of pests in irrigated agriculture in the context of a changing climate can help recommend more gender-sensitive policies, particularly in smallholder farming systems. Limited studies have been conducted to assess gender differences in perception of the prevalence and management of pests among smallholder irrigation schemes especially in Zimbabwe. This study is the first one to assess gendered perceptions on the change in prevalence and management of pests in Exchange, Insukamini, and Ruchanyu irrigation schemes in Zimbabwe. Semi-structured questionnaires were administered using face-to-face interviews with participants. Data from focus group discussions and key informant interviews were used for validating data from questionnaire interviews. Mann-Whitney U test was employed to assess perception on the prevalence of pests between male and female farmers. Findings from this study depict that the females perceived a higher prevalence of bollworms (Helicoverpa armigera) (P ≤ 0.01), fall armyworms (Spodoptera frugiperda) (P ≤ 0.01), red spider mites (Tetranychus urticae) (P ≤ 0.01), and maize grain weevils (Sitophilus zeamais) (P ≤ 0.01) than males, while males perceive a higher prevalence of termites (Isoptera) (P ≤ 0.01) and cutworms (Noctuidae) (P ≤ 0.01) than females. Both male and female farmers perceived a greater increase in prevalence of aphids (Aphidoidea). Here, we show that farmers’ perceptions of changes in pest prevalence and pest management strategies differ by gender. Gender perception on change in prevalence of pests can be a valuable resource for the sustainable development of smallholder irrigation farming system and scientific research.
Funder
National Research Foundation
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Subject
Agronomy and Crop Science,Environmental Engineering
Reference71 articles.
1. Akter S, Erskine W, Branco LV, Agostinho OF, Imron J, Spyckerelle L (2016) Gender in crop production in Timor-Leste. In ACIAR: Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) Proceedings Series 146:158–164
2. Andrew NR, Hill SJ (2017) Effect of climate change on insect pest management. In Environmental pest management: challenges for agronomists, ecologists, economists and policymakers, edited by Eric Wajnberg Moshe Coll, 197:195–223
3. Atreya K (2007) Pesticide use knowledge and practices: a gender differences in Nepal. Environ Res 104(2):305–311. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2007.01.001
4. Awudzi GK, Adu-Acheampong R, Avicor SW, Bukari Y, Yeboah MA, Boateng EKO, Ahadzi SK (2021) Farmers’ knowledge and perception of cocoa insect pests and damage and the implications for pest management on cocoa in Ghana. J Plant Protec Res:145-155-145-155. https://doi.org/10.24425/jppr.2021.137022.
5. Badstue L, Petesch P, Farnworth CR, Roeven L, Hailemariam M (2020) Women farmers and agricultural innovation: marital status and normative expectations in rural Ethiopia. Sustainability 12(23):9847. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12239847
Cited by
2 articles.
订阅此论文施引文献
订阅此论文施引文献,注册后可以免费订阅5篇论文的施引文献,订阅后可以查看论文全部施引文献